A Celebration Of Wool In The 21st Century – ON NOW IN SYDNEY!

April 24th, 2012

The story of wool continues to be told right across the world, this time with key players of Australia meeting in March to launch the Campaign for Wool for 2012.

The Australian launch provided a melting pot of the wool industry, with woolgrowers, fashion designers and retailers gathering to offer ideas about the further promotion of the fibre.

The Australian leg of Wool Modern’s global schedule – held at Sydney’s historic Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay – includes pieces from international designers Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith and local designers including Collette Dinnigan, Willow, Romance Was Born, Josh Goot, ELLERY, Jenny Kee and Akira. I was there for it’s launch night and I was so impressed. What a gorgeous location, set up and exhibition it was. I urge you to get down there and check out the amazing garments on display… They really are so incredible and really do show you the versatility of wool. You can see just one of the gorgeous displayed here. Here I am with Peter Everett.

Wool Modern celebrates the aesthetic, environmental and technical benefits of wool with stunning fashion pieces nested alongside wool-focused installations. There is an exclusive look at the wool archives from fashion designers including Theirry Mugler and Sonia Rykiel, with innovative new pieces from renowned designers and brands including Giles Deacon, Mark Fast, Erdem, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and David Koma among others.

The Campaign for Wool was globally launched in 2010 and is spearheaded by HRH the Prince of Wales. Australia’s key event for 2012 will be the Wool Modern exhibition in Sydney from April 24 to May 1, which also coincides with Wool Week running from April 23-29.

The Wool Modern exhibition will continue its world tour by travelling to Shanghai in October with special Chinese commissions.

The Australian Five Present Their Collections in New York City

January 28th, 2012

Five of Australia’s most promising young designers showcased their collections on Thursday, at a private cocktail event held at the Crosby Street Hotel in New York. It was an opportunity for the five designers: Michael Lo Sordo, Kym Ellery, Magdalena Velevska, Christopher Esber and Kym Ellery to showcase their Fall/Winter collections to U.S. buyers and press.

New York’s top tier press and fashion industry executives viewed the presentation, which was the culmination of The Australian Five program – a joint effort of Woolmark and the Australians in New York Fashion Foundation (AINYFF). The program was part of G’Day USA – an annual initiative designed to promote Australian business in the USA.

“The Australian Five is focused on bringing the best of Australian design and putting them in front of New York‟s best fashion editors, stylists and buyers,” explains Woolmark CEO Stuart McCullough. “The people who have come together to support this project is a testament to the value of both Australian designers and the Merino fibre in the international market,” says Rob Langtry, Global Marketing Director of The Woolmark Company.

The Australian Five – G’Day USA 2012

January 12th, 2012

The Woolmark Company, in partnership with the Australians in New York Fashion Foundation, recently announced The Australian Five initiative in New York City.

Five of Australia’s most talented fashion designers – Christopher Esber, Fernando Frisoni, Kym Ellery, Magdalena Velveska and recent SOYA winner, Michael Lo Sordo are taking their incredible collections to New York City for a unique program at the Crosby Street Hotel on January 24th to 27th. The program is part of the G’Day USA initiative – an annual program designed to showcase Australian business capabilities in the USA – Australia’s largest trading and investment partner.

“The Australian Five is focused on bringing the best of Australian design and putting them in front of New York’s best fashion editors, stylists and buyers,” explains Woolmark CEO Stuart McCullough.

“The people who have come together to support this project is a testament to the value of both Australian designers and the Merino fibre in the international market, and to the important role expatriate Australians play is spreading the word to international markets of some of our unique talent and products”, says Rob Langtry, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of The Woolmark Company.

“This is a unique opportunity for New York opinion formers to view the work of five talented young Australian fashion designers in a very intimate and close-up setting, meet the designers and really see the fabric innovation and design skill” added Malcolm Carfrae, Co Founder of the Australians in New York Fashion Foundation.

The program will present a multitude of opportunities for the designers to forge relationships with key members of the American fashion industry. Beginning with an educational seminar hosted at the Australian Consulate, industry greats such as Harper’s Bazaar USA Editor-at-Large Brana Wolf and Features/Special Projects Director Laura Brown, Founder and Creative Director of Chandelier Creative Richard Christianson, V Magazine and AINYFF’s Julie Anne Quay and Malcolm Carfrae (also Executive Vice President of Global Communications at Calvin Klein). This incredibly influential people will be some of the many experts on hand to guide these designers towards their dream of cracking the lucrative US market. The program will culminate with an exclusive cocktail party and live model presentation on January 26 at the Crosby Street Hotel.

Nancy Pilcher (Editorial Director-At-Large, Conde Nast Asia Pacific) is taking on the role as mentor, assisting the designers to present their brands flawlessly to the US market.

G’day USA celebrations are managed and produced annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Australian Trade Commission, Tourism Australia, Qantas Airways and the State Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. DHL will support The Australian Five through preparing them with high quality, reliable export and import services.

Fernando Frisoni AW12/13 is based around ideas of strength, versatility and competitive instinct. The collection, titled Stadium, draws reference from the functionality and form seen in the sports arena.

Designs brought to life by a rich wool textures, effortlessly and a sexy and considerate take on the luxury sport aesthetic resulting in garments which are both chic and highly wearable. The collection stays true to the Fernando Frisoni philosophy which encapsulates casual sophistication whilst celebrating minimalism and uncomplicated silhouettes.

Magdalena Velevska

Magdalena Velevska’s AW12/13 collection has been designed and driven through the use of innovative textiles, and applying these in contemporary yet wearable ways.

Sequin wool felting is a feature of this collection. A felting technique is used to connect a fine Merino wool jersey with silk georgette which swiftly provides a unique sequin shine. The fabric is than further embellished to add spark and take the development out of an androgynous feel into a luxurious territory.

Five pieces of extraordinary knitwear made from 100% merino wool yet look like intricate lace are a feature of Velevska’s AW12/13 collection.

The knitwear is three dimensional in texture and uses a blend of two different yarns to achieve the unique effect – one flat and smooth, the other more textured and bulky.

The finest of merino wool’s is set alongside boiled wool and felts, waxed silks and viscose, soft nappa leather – all creating dynamic changes in appearance and feel.

Lo Sordo has also developed by hand a state-of-the-art foiling technique – using wool’s inherent property to absorb heat, gold is manipulated into the wool fabric with heat, creating an imperfect but yet perfect design finish. Rare manual finishing techniques and creative uses of multiple textiles is a signature of Lo Sordo’s that shows the utmost innovation, and understanding of modern style.

Christopher Esber

AW12/13 for Christopher Esber is all about examining the essence of couture shapes, about looking at the points on the body where volume sits then contouring other areas to give a sense of dynamic, sports inspired, panelling and a rapid sense of urgency.

AW12/13 see’s Esber play with a woven wool and mohair fabric that brings texture and drama into the pieces and also features bonding of wool felts onto leathers for reversible classic pieces from outerwear to the staple dress.

Kym Ellery

Ellery AW12/13 is filled with a multitude if aesthetic wonders.

As the seasons have ticked by, so have the challenges that Ellery has adopted to give the range a touch of something thoughtful and intriguing. Time after time Ellery has mastered many different techniques which cross the boundaries of conventional garment design.

AW12/13 brings a new masterpiece to the fore with an exciting relationship forged between fine Australian Merino wool and lurex to create knits which enchant and devour the body. This intricate knitted fabric is then put through a fusing process to bond it to the inside of leather so that the garments are fabric lined and feel luxurious next to the skin.

Michael Lo Sordo Wins Prestigious Qantas Spirit of Youth Award

January 10th, 2012

As if 2012 wasn’t already looking promising for the young talented designer, Michael Lo Sordo.

Today Michael took home the very prestigious Qantas Spirit of Youth Award, which will now see him receive $10,000, flights with Qantas and a mentorship for one year with the adorable girls from Zimmermann, Nicky and Simone.

Michael Lo Sordo was recently selected as one of five very special Australian designers jetting off to New York in just over a week with The Woolmark Company, which is in partnership with the G’Day USA initiative. Over there, they will get to showcase their designs on a global scale, with enormous potential for each of the designers and their brands.

Easily one of Australia’s finest designers establishing himself in Australia, 2012 really will be a big year for Michael, and I know for a fact everyone will be supporting him and his incredible talent for many years to come.

Anne Geddes and Woolmark Team Up To Support Use of Merino Wool

October 15th, 2011

Two great Australian icons promote the benefits of Merino wool. The Woolmark Company and famed photographer Anne Geddes, two great Australian icons, have joined forces to launch the latest Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) research and marketing program addressing the needs of the emerging Mother and Baby sector of the global apparel market.

Health and safety is so important in parents’ minds when it comes to making choices about what products to use on their babies, and with this in mind the program was initiated to provide this support and promote Australian Merino wool across pregnancy wear through to baby wear, swaddles and blankets.

For centuries, mothers and carers have been wrapping and swaddling babies in natural fibres to keep them warm and comfortable. Merino wool is the natural fibre of choice for babywear, infants’ apparel and sleepwear. In particular, because babies are far more prone to heat loss or heat rises than adults, maintaining a healthy skin and body temperature is critical.

Merino wool has moisture and temperature management properties, and naturally assists regulation of body temperature. The inherent breathability and active moisture management properties of the fibre also helps prevent the skin from becoming clammy, which can provide a more comfortable environment for better sleep.

The Woolmark Company is partnering with Anne Geddes to put a trusted face to this sensitive and emotionally driven market, and present the story of wool and the health benefits associated with its use in this category.

I just love the images that go along with this promotion. Anne Geddes always captures the most amazing images of gorgeous little babies, at their cutest, most loving and vulnerable stage of their little lives.

As a little tribute to this promotion, I have included my own interpretation of an Anne Geddes photo – but of myself in Mykonos recently! Ok I agree… Totally not as cute as the babies above!

Yarn Bombing Martin Place!

June 14th, 2011

The mission was to create a bit of a scene and build awareness around World Wide Knit In Public Day – and by yarn bombing Martin Place, they did just that!

From 7am on Friday the 10th of June, a creative team of yarn bombing enthusiasts set upon Martin Place to brighten up everyone’s morning. The response was fantastic, with lots of passers by getting involved. From the corporate man to some school children and everyone in between, the yarn bombing was well received by all – and of course great fun too!

I’m sure you are wondering what all this yarn bombing was in aid of… well in an ongoing event, starting on Saturday 11th June, Australian Country Spinners will host a public ‘knit in’ at the same location. The objective of the event is to get people to teach more people to knit and knit squares for the Save the Children Foundation. The squares will then be stitched into blankets which will be distributed by the Foundation.